thit_cho

Are there more photos (Aye-Aye, Baobob Alley) forthcoming of your trip? My major regret (and a principal reason that I need to return to Madagascar) was that I did not make it to the island where its relatively easy to see Aye-Ayes.

Thanks for sharing -- great photos from a wonderful place (my Madagascar photos are someplace on this site, but since that trip was in May 2005, they may have been deleted by now).

Michael

atravelynn

Thanks for the response, Gatoratlarge. So Mvuu is the wildlife hotspot. Though there were no predators, your animal action in the water, especially crocs was exceptional, making this place very attractive.

I think you had one bush pig photo. Those are also quite rare. What an intriguing destination Malawi is!

I saw you had ATD arrange Malawi. I used them one time for Africa long ago with fine results, but had not seen them mentioned on here.

Now on to Madagascar.

gatoratlarge

I never got a good shot of the aye aye---in fact, we saw them high in the trees and they are pretty shy where we saw them---giant orange eyes lol Nosy Mangabe is a good place to see them, however we did not spend the night there and since they are largely nocturnal, we did not see them there.

Plenty of Baobab Alley photos on my above Madagascar link...some of them even include the road grader! lol

ATD did a very good job setting up all air travel and the Malawi portion of the trip--and I thought the price was right too. Philip Gaines helped me put things together.

You are correct, Mvuu at Liwonde NP is the wildlife epicenter in Malawi and it revolves around the Shire River. I would call it a great African River. Teeming with birds, hippos and crocs...great chance to catch elephants going for a swim and a drink as well...

napamatt

Great report, Mvuu is high on my list as an avid birder. Were you able to judge the quality of the guides as it relates to birding or do you not have sufficient experience to do so.
Also how was the accomodation at Mvuu?
Lastly what time was your flight to Blantyre, and how long was the transfer?

gatoratlarge

Probably cannot comment on the quality of guides as it relates to birding, but it is a Wilderness Safari camp and if you made it known ahead of time---I'm guessing they would hook you up with the best they have at the camp.

As an amateur, I can say that the bird life was very noticeable. Not only did you have this huge cormorant colony (quite pungent) but all the interaction such as the nile monitors climbing through the vines and palms in search of eggs or chicks. crocs below in the water incaseof a slip. Fish eagles preying on the chicks as well. Pied kingfishers were constantly hovering and diving for fish...malachites, small little lilypad walkers that weren't Jacanas....little bee eaters...every water bird imaginable...It is definitely a prime place for birding.

The Mvuu lodge is excellent. WS knows exactly how to pick a "location" and the lagoon is intimate and full of crocs and in our case a mother and new-born hippo. The other spot is much more for the bigger groups...

I can't recall exactly but it was a morning departure to Blantyre from JoBurg---couple hour flight?----it was quite delayed since the luggage handling system we were told broke down at the JoBurg Airport---luckily our bags made it and didn't have to be transported overland to Lilongwe! The transfer is about three hours to Liwonde NP...it was a pleasant enough drive through some nice country. We arrived in the dark but probably should have gotten there much earlier since the baggage delay...Everlasting, our driver, was knowlegeable and told us of the points of interest along the way...

hills27

bump

cybor

The kayaking looks intriguing, albeit being tossed in. Still, I'd like to try it.
I'm only half finished with your report and look forward to coming back.
Your photos are great, as well. Love the beautiful people shots, the sable (which seeing are high on my list). You've got some great ele. shots - the B+W's are very cool - they almost look silver.
Thanks

atravelynn

I enjoyed the flight over Madagascar and the boat ride, especially the shots of people on other boats. A tenrec? Quite a creature. Thanks for explaining the dead baby ducks. It appears some of the lemurs hung out on the roof. Those trees are unbelievable. The photos with people or cars along with those trees really put them in perspective. Many dramatic whale pics. Thanks so much!

gatoratlarge

My pleasure---we had a great time and I would encourage folks to give it a try...Africa has so many differnet experiences...as it seems many of y'all are like me, addicted to Africa. I've got trips planned out in my mind for years to come...when people ask me "Are you going to Africa AGAIN?" As if its one same place...I tell them thats like asking, "are you going to the United States, again?" It is so varied.